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6/15/10

Product Description

Back to school, but not so fast! Jem Lockwood's first assignment is to write a composition on what he did during the summer, and he tells the teacher he could write a book. Short Circus is Jem's own story about his remarkable adventures with his Big Brother, Jesse Standish, and a host of neighbors and friends, plus a mysterious enemy who keeps sabotaging the swimming pond. There are bike jumping contests, fistfights, motorbikes, visits to seaside towns for festivals, and swimming in a waterfall. What begins as a glorious summer is very nearly ruined when Jem discovers that his Big Brother's rented house is about to be sold, and Jesse Standish may be forced to move away.

About the Author

Stephen V. Masse was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He wrote his first practice novel at age 13, handwritten into a school composition book. Educated at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, he studied creative writing, and was author of a weekly newspaper column, "Out of Control". His first novel for children, Shadow Stealer was published by Dillon Press in 1988. Short Circus is his second novel for chldren. In addition to children's books, Masse has written A Jolly Good Fellow, winner of the Silver Medal in the 2008 Independent Publisher Book Awards, as well as honorable mention in the 2008 New England Book Festival for best books of the holiday season.

Product Details

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 184 pages

Publisher: Good Harbor Press (March 15, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0615320570

ISBN-13: 978-0615320571

SOURCE: AUTHOR

LIKED IT

This is a wonderful book that should interest boys which are a hard target to hit. I enjoyed the first person accounts of Jem, a twelve year old boy, whom you can tell doesn't have the easiest life and it doesn't get him down. The story delves into his relationship with his Big Brother, Jesse and how Jem helps him cope with the issues of losing a home and being a good person. Jesse doesn't have the easiest life either and it is great to see this relationship develop.

I think this can safely be read by children from 10 years and up since it really goes in to detail about consequences of your actions. There is a lot of important issues mentioned and they are dealt with in a non-preachy manor. It truly is told with the voice of a twelve year old boy. This really reminded me of a combination of the Hardy Boys and Tom Sawyer. This is a great book for summer reading.

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